Kobalt Tools 400
by Ronald A. Rowe March 15th, 2012 | NASCAR, Sprint Cup Series
Unlike last year, when Tony Stewart waiting until the Cup Chase to really turn things up, the champ is starting strong in 2012. Stewart's car had more muscle than Jimmie Johnson's on the final restart of the Kobalt Tools 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. That victory marks 14 seasons in a row that Stewart has won at least one race, but never has he racked up a win so early in the year. Stewart's hot streak, extending back to last season, includes six wins in the
Sam’s Town 300
by Ronald A. Rowe March 13th, 2012 | NASCAR, Nationwide Series
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was the most successful Nationwide driver of the year last year, winning the championship, yet he only won two races all season. This year, things might be different. Stenhouse won the Sam's Town 300 on the third Nationwide outing of the year. Because there are far fewer Sprint Cup drivers doing double duty this season, Stenhouse, Elliot Sadler, Trevor Bayne, and the rest of the Nationwide drivers have a much better chance of taking the checkered flag.
Stenhouse enjoyed a long green flag run for the final 39 laps of the race and held off a hard-charging
Stenhouse enjoyed a long green flag run for the final 39 laps of the race and held off a hard-charging
Subway Fresh Fit 500 2012
by Ronald A. Rowe March 8th, 2012 | NASCAR, Sprint Cup Series
The story didn’t quite play out the way it does in the movies for Kevin “The Closer” Harvick. In second place with one lap to go, Harvick appeared to have race-leader Denny Hamlin right where he wanted him. The two were so far out in front of everyone else that it was down to a two man race as they came to the white flag.
Then it happened. Harvick, who knew he was cutting it close, ran out of gas. Hamlin cruised to an easy win; Harvick coasted across the
Then it happened. Harvick, who knew he was cutting it close, ran out of gas. Hamlin cruised to an easy win; Harvick coasted across the
Bashas’ Supermarkets 200
by Ronald A. Rowe March 6th, 2012 | NASCAR, Nationwide Series
Elliot Sadler was in the hunt for the Nationwide Championship last season until a wreck at Phoenix International Raceway put him too far behind eventual-champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr. to come back. So it was redemption of a sort that Sadler (pictured) won at Phoenix in the second race of the 2012 season.
Sadler ran so well last season that it is easy to forget that he didn’t actually win any races. In fact, it had been… 14 years(!) since the last time Sadler took a checkered flag. Fourteen years and zero wins, but Sadler has been around the top so
Sadler ran so well last season that it is easy to forget that he didn’t actually win any races. In fact, it had been… 14 years(!) since the last time Sadler took a checkered flag. Fourteen years and zero wins, but Sadler has been around the top so
2012 Daytona 500
by Ronald A. Rowe March 1st, 2012 | NASCAR, Sprint Cup Series
The 2012 Daytona 500 started late, ended later, and provided some real surprises along the way. Here are some of the highlights I noticed along the way.
Lap 2: Well, that didn’t take long. Actually, it took a day and a half longer than we expected to see the first wreck of the Daytona 500. But no one thought that Jimmie Johnson and Danica Patrick would both be back in the garage within sixty seconds of the white flag.
Lap 101: Too bad for Martin Truex Jr. that this isn’t the Daytona 250. This is the
Lap 2: Well, that didn’t take long. Actually, it took a day and a half longer than we expected to see the first wreck of the Daytona 500. But no one thought that Jimmie Johnson and Danica Patrick would both be back in the garage within sixty seconds of the white flag.
Lap 101: Too bad for Martin Truex Jr. that this isn’t the Daytona 250. This is the